Handheld vacuum device having a hook

ABSTRACT

A handheld vacuum device is presented. That handheld vacuum device comprises a housing, a vacuum-generating system, and a hook. The housing has a handle, while the vacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing, and is configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. The hook is coupled to the housing, and has a bent portion that is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/US2021/063579, filed Dec. 15, 2021, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/122,315, filed Dec. 15, 2020, each of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a handheld vacuum device having an attachment structure, such as a hook, for hanging or suspending the vacuum device from an external structure.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to a handheld vacuum device configured to generate suction. The suction may be used to capture dust, debris, or other material or objects from a floor or other surface. The handheld vacuum device may be battery-powered, or may have a cord for receiving electrical power.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the embodiments herein relates to a handheld vacuum device that comprises a housing, a vacuum-generating system, a battery, and a hook. In this embodiment, the housing has a handle, and the vacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing, the vacuum generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. Further in this embodiment, the battery is coupled to a rearward end of the housing, and the hook extends laterally from the housing and is disposed between the battery and the handle. In this embodiment, the hook has a base portion and a bent portion that extends from the base portion, wherein the bent portion is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure, and wherein the base portion and the bent portion of the hook form a slot that extends along a length dimension of the hook, wherein the slot is configured, when the external structure forms a rail, to fit around the rail to permit the handheld vacuum device to be hung from the rail via the hook.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a handheld vacuum device that comprises a housing, a vacuum-generating system, and a hook. In this embodiment, the housing has a handle, while the vacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing, and is configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. The hook is coupled to the housing, and has a bent portion that is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a handheld vacuum device comprising a housing and a vacuum-generating system. In this embodiment, the housing has: (i) a handle and (ii) a hook mounting region which has one or more slots and a hole, and which is configured to attach the housing to a hook which has a flat portion with a hole therethrough and which has one or more protruding portions extending from the flat base portion. The vacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing, and is configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. In this embodiment, the one or more slots of the hook mounting region are configured to receive the one or more protruding portions of the hook, and wherein the hole of the hook mounting region is configured to align with the hole of the flat base portion of the hook when the one or more slots of the hook mounting region receives the one or more protruding portions of the hook.

These and other aspects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments hereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a handheld vacuum device having a hook, according to an embodiment hereof.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an example hook which may be attached to a housing of a handheld vacuum device, according to an embodiment hereof.

FIG. 1C depicts a hook mounting region according to an embodiment hereof.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a handheld vacuum device hung from a rail system, according to an embodiment hereof.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate different types of hooks, according to an embodiment hereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates a handheld vacuum device having a hook, according to an embodiment hereof.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a handheld vacuum device having a hook, according to embodiments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a handheld vacuum device that has an attachment structure, such as a hook, which permits the handheld vacuum device to be hung from an external structure, such as a rafter, joist, a portion of a scissor lift, a step of a ladder, a wall-mounted rail system, or any other external structure. In some embodiments, the attachment structure (e.g., hook) may be disposed at a rearward end of a housing of the handheld vacuum device. For instance, the attachment structure may be coupled to the rearward end of the housing, and/or may protrude or extend from the rearward end of the housing. In some implementations, the attachment structure may be disposed at another location. The attachment structure may include a hook, e.g., a rail hook that is configured to fit around a rail, a rafter hook, a belt clip hook, or any other type of hook. In some implementations, the attachment structure may be rotatably attached to the housing. In such implementations, the attachment structure may be pivotable between a folded position and an unfolded position.

FIG. 1A depicts an example handheld vacuum device 100 (also referred to as a hand-holdable vacuum device) with an attachment structure configured as a hook 130 that permits the handheld vacuum device 100 to be suspended or otherwise hung from an external structure (e.g., a rafter, joist, or drop ceiling grid of a building, a step of a ladder, a wall-mounted rail system, etc.). More particularly, the handheld vacuum device 100 includes a housing 110, a vacuum generating system 120, and the hook 130. The housing 110 may hold or contain various components of the vacuum device 100, including components of the vacuum-generating system 120, which may generate suction for the handheld vacuum device 100 for sucking or otherwise capturing dust, debris, or other material or objects into the handheld vacuum device 100. For example, the vacuum-generating system 120 may include a fan and a motor. The motor may be configured, when activated, to rotate the fan, wherein the rotating fan may cause air flow that creates vacuum pressure and suction. In some implementations, the vacuum-generating system 120 may include an air filter and/or a pre-filter that are configured to filter dust, debris, or other material carried by the air flow, so as to trap such material within the housing 110. In some instances, the handheld vacuum device 100 may include a battery 140 that is configured to provide electrical power to activate the fan. In such instances, the handheld vacuum device 100 may be a cordless vacuum. In some instances, the handheld vacuum device 100 may include an electrical cord for providing the electrical power to activate the fan. In such instances, the vacuum device 100 may lack a battery. In one example, the handheld vacuum device 100 may be or may include features of, e.g., the Craftsman® V20 vacuum.

In an embodiment, a housing 110 may form or otherwise have a handle 112 that is configured to be gripped by a user's hand. The handle 112 may thus configure the vacuum device 100 as a handheld device. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the housing 110 of the handheld vacuum device 100 may have a frontward end 111, a rearward end 119, a top side 114, a bottom side 115, and multiple side surfaces or lateral sides 117, 118, which may also be referred to more simply as multiple sides (e.g., leftward side and rightward side). The frontward end 111 and rearward end 119 may be opposite ends of the housing 110, while the top side 114 and the bottom side 115 may also be opposite sides of the housing 110. Further, the lateral sides 117, 118 may be opposite sides of the housing 110. In an embodiment, the top side 114 of the housing 110 may be an end thereof at which the handle 112 is disposed or from which the handle 112 protrudes. In an embodiment, the frontward end 111 may be, e.g., an end of the housing 110 through which air enters the housing 110 to create suction for the handheld vacuum device 100. More particularly, the frontward end 111 may be an end of the housing 110 that is generally pointed away from a user who is holding the vacuum device 100. In some implementations, the handheld vacuum device 110 may include a crevice tool 150 that is removably disposed at the frontward end 111 of the housing 110, and the air flow used to generate suction may enter the housing 110 through an opening in the crevice tool 150. In some instances, if the handheld vacuum device 100 includes the battery 140, the battery 140 may be mounted on or otherwise attached to the rearward end 119 of the housing 110. In the example of FIG. 1A, part of the housing 110 may include or may be formed by a dust bowl 113, which may be configured to store the dust or debris sucked into the handheld vacuum device 100.

In an embodiment, the hook 130 (also referred to as a hang hook) of the handheld vacuum device 100 may protrude from or may be coupled to a side surface of the housing 110, such as the side surface 118. As discussed below in more detail, the hook 130 may have a bent portion that is configured to catch on, press against, or otherwise engage an external structure so as to permit the handheld vacuum device 100 to be hung from the external structure via the hook 130. In the example of FIG. 1A, the hook 130 may be a rail hook, which is discussed below in more detail. In other examples, the handheld vacuum device 100 may include a hook that is a rafter hook, a belt clip hook, or some other type of hook, as discussed below in more detail.

In an embodiment, the hook 130 may extend laterally from the side surface 118 of the housing 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. More specifically, extending laterally may involve extending in a direction which is perpendicular to a front-rear axis 116 of the housing 110/vacuum device 100, wherein the front-rear axis may be an imaginary axis running between the frontward end 111 and the rearward end 119.

In an embodiment, the hook 130 may be disposed at the rearward end 119 of the housing 110 of the handheld vacuum device 100. In a more specific example, the hook 130 may be disposed between the battery 140 and the handle 112, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. In some instances, the handle 112 may be disposed between the hook 130 and the frontward end 111 of the housing 110. In the above examples, the rearward placement of the hook 130 may contribute to stability of the handheld vacuum device 100 when the device 100 is hung via the hook 130, especially if a center-of-mass (CoM) of the handheld vacuum device 100 is located closer to the rearward end 119 of the housing 110 than it is to the frontward end 111, e.g., due to the placement of the vacuum generating system 120 and/or the battery 140 at or near the rearward end 119 of the housing 110. More specifically, when the handheld vacuum device 100 is hung from a particular hanging location provided by an external structure, gravity may cause the handheld vacuum device 100 to swing relative to the hanging location, which may act as a pivot for the swinging motion. By positioning the hook 130 at or near the rearward end 119 of the housing 110, the hanging location may be positioned near the CoM of the handheld vacuum device 100, which may reduce an amount of swinging motion caused by gravity. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the hook 130 is coupled to (also referred to as being attached to) the side surface 118 of the housing 110, and more specifically protrudes from the side surface 118 of the housing 110. The hook 130 may, e.g., open toward the frontward end 111 of the housing 110. In another embodiment, the hook 130 may protrude from or is otherwise disposed at the top side 114 or bottom side 115 of the housing 110. In some implementations, the hook 130 may be disposed at the frontward end 111 instead of the rearward end 119 of the housing 110.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the hook 130 may include a base portion 133 and a bent portion 134. For example, the hook 130 may be a metal hook, such that the base portion 133 and the bent portion 134 may be formed of metal, e.g., metal plate. The base portion 133 may be a portion through which the hook 130 is attached to the housing 110 of the handheld vacuum device 100. For instance, the base portion 133 may be pressed against and may make contact with the housing 110 when the hook 130 is attached to the housing 110. In some cases, the base portion 133 may be a flat or straight portion. The bent portion 134 of the hook 130 may be configured to engage an external structure, such as the rafter, joist, or drop ceiling grid discussed above, so as to permit the handheld vacuum 100 to be hung from the external structure via the hook 130. In some implementations, the bent portion 134 may include an overhang portion 136 for pressing against, catching, or otherwise engaging the external structure. The bent portion 134 may further include an intermediate portion 135 which connects the base portion 133 and the overhang portion 136. More specifically, the bent portion 134 may include one or more bends, including a bend which causes the intermediate portion 135 to become unaligned with the base portion 133 and to extend away from the base portion 133. The bent portion 134 may bend further to lead to the overhang portion 136. More specifically, the bent portion 134 may bend in a manner that causes a surface of the overhang portion 136 to face a surface of the base portion 133. In some implementations, the overhang portion 136 may be parallel with or otherwise aligned with the base portion 133. The one or more bends in the bent portion 134 may create a gap 135 A (also referred to as an opening) between the base portion 133 and the overhang portion 136. The gap 135A may have a width W, which may refer to a distance between the base portion 133 and the overhang portion 136. If the gap 135 A forms a slot, which is discussed below, the width W may refer to a width of the slot.

In an embodiment, the housing 110 of the handheld vacuum device 100 may have a hook mounting region 118A on the side surface 118 of the housing 110. The hook mounting region 118A may be used to attach the hook 130 to the housing 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1C. More particularly, the hook mounting region 118A may include a surface (e.g., flat surface) which may be pressed against the base portion 133 of the hook 130 when the hook 130 is fastened or otherwise attached to the housing 110. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1B and 1C, the hook 130 may have a hole 133A extending through the base portion 133, while the hook mounting region 118A may have a hole 118D. When the hook 130 is attached to the housing 110, the hole 133A in the base portion 133 of the hook 130 may be aligned with the hole 118D in the hook mounting region 118A, so as to allow a fastener (e.g., screw) 160 to be inserted through the two holes to attach the hook 130 to the housing 110. The hook mounting region 118A may be disposed at or near the rearward end 119 of the housing 110, the frontward end 111 of the housing 110, or at any other location.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1B and 1C, the hook 130 may form one or more protruding portions 131, 132 which protrude from the base portion 133. The one or more protruding portions 131, 132 may be, e.g., perpendicular to the base portion 133 and may extend in a direction opposite to that of the bent portion 134. In this embodiment, the hook mounting region 118A may form one or more slots 118B, 118C that are configured to receive the one or more protruding portions 131, 132 of the hook 130. In other words, the one or more protruding portions 131, 132 may be insertable into the one or more slots 118B, 118C of the hook mounting region 118 A, so as to create a tighter fit between the hook 130 and the housing 110 when the hook 130 is attached thereto. In an embodiment, the hole 133A in the base portion 133 of the hook 130 may be configured to be aligned with the hole 118D of the hook mounting region 118A when the slots 118C, 118D of the hook mounting region 118A receive the protruding portions 131, 132 of the hook 130. In an embodiment, the overhang portion 136 may have an opening 136A through which the hole 133A of the base portion 133 and the fastener 160 would be accessible, such as to a screwdriver or other tool. For example, the hook 130 may an accessory piece that may be obtained by a user and attached to the housing 110 via the fastener 160.

In an embodiment, as stated above, the hook 130 may be a rail hook. A rail hook may be a hook that is configured to engage an external structure that has the form of a rail, so as to permit the handheld vacuum 100 to be hung from the rail. More specifically, the gap 135 A between the base portion 133 and the overhang portion 136 may form a slot that extends along a length dimension, or more specifically a dimension that is along a longitudinal axis 137, of the hook 130 of FIG. 1B. If the hook 130 is disposed at the rearward end 119 of the housing 110, then the slot may, e.g., open toward the frontward end 111 of the housing 110. When the external structure forms a rail, the slot may be configured to fit around the rail to permit the handheld vacuum device 100 to be hung from the rail via the hook 130. For example, FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an external structure that is a rail system 500. The rail system 500, such as the VersaTrack® Composite Multipurpose Storage Rail System, may be attachable to a wall or other building structure, and may include one or more rails 501, 502, 503 that each extend along a longitudinal axis parallel to the wall. Each rail of the one or more rails may include a protruding structure. For instance, the rail 501 may have a protruding structure 501A. Rail systems are discussed in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/679,705, entitled “Wall Hanging System,” the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein. In the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the hook 130 may be configured to engage the protruding structure of the rail 501 when the handheld vacuum device 100 is hung from the external structure via the hook 130. For instance, the gap 133A in FIG. 1C between the base portion 133 and the overhang portion 136 may form a slot that fits around the protruding structure of the rail 501, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. The slot of the hook 130 may thus engage the rail 501, to permit the handheld vacuum device 100 to be hung from the rail 501 via the hook 130. In an embodiment, the slot of the hook 130 may open toward the frontward end 111 of the housing 110 of the handheld vacuum device 110, as depicted in FIG. 2B. Such an embodiment may occur when, e.g., the hook 130 that forms the slot is disposed at the rearward end 119 of the housing 110. In an embodiment, the slot may be configured for storage of a crevice tool (e.g., 150), which may be disposed at the frontward end 111 of the housing 110. In such an embodiment, the slot may have a width W which is substantially the same as a width of the crevice tool, such that the crevice tool 150 is insertable into the slot. In such an embodiment, the hook 130 may provide a space for storing the crevice tool 150. In an embodiment, the hook 130 or any other hook may be generally C-shaped.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate other types of hooks 330, 430, 530 that may be configured to be attached to a housing of a handheld vacuum device. In some instances, the hooks 330, 430, 530 may replace or supplement the hook 130 of FIGS. 1A-1C. Each of the hooks 330, 430, 530 may include a respective base portion 333, 433, 533 and a respective bent portion 334, 434, 534. The bent portions 334-534 may each include one or more bends, and may include an intermediate portion 335, 435, 535 that connects the base portion 333, 433, 533 with an overhang portion 336, 436, 536. For example, the base portions 333-533 may be formed from a straight rod or pair of straight rods, while the bent portions 334-534 may form respective overhang portions 336-536 that are configured to catch, press against, or otherwise engage an external structure so as to allow a handheld vacuum device to be hung from the external structure via the respective hooks 330-530. Additionally, the hooks 330, 430, 530 may form respective gaps 335A, 435A, 535A of size or width W between their respective base portions 333, 433, 533 and overhang portions 336, 436, 536.

In some implementations, a hook of the embodiments herein may include a rail hook, as discussed above. In an embodiment, a hook of the embodiments herein may include a rafter hook, such as hook 430, which may be a hook that is configured to engage an external structure that is or that includes a rafter or joist. In some instances, the rafter hook may have a gap with a size or width W that is greater than 1.5 inches (e.g., a size W of 2 inches).

In some implementations, a hook of the embodiments herein, such as hook 430/530, may be rotatably connected to a housing (e.g., 110) of a handheld vacuum device, such that the hook is pivotable between different positions. For instance, the hook 430 may be rotatably connected to the housing via protruding portions 431, 432, which may laterally protrude or extend from the base portion 433 of the hook 430. The protruding portions 431, 432 may form an axle which renders the hook 430 pivotable between a folded position and an unfolded position. When the hook 430 is in the folded position, it may be, e.g., a base portion (e.g., 433) that is parallel with an immediately adjacent surface of the housing. The rotatable coupling of the hook 430 may allow it to be flipped out to an unfolded position. When the hook 430 is in the unfolded position, the handheld vacuum may be hangable from an external structure (e.g., a rafter) via the hook 430.

In some implementations, a hook of the embodiments herein, such as hook 330, may form a belt clip. More particularly, FIG. 4 depicts a handheld vacuum device 300 that includes the hook 330. Such a hook 330 may be referred to as a belt clip hook, and may be configured, when used to hang the handheld vacuum device 300 from a belt, to press against the belt. More particularly, the hook 330 has the base portion 333 and the bent portion 334. In an embodiment, the bent portion 334 extends outward from the base portion 333 of the hook and outward from a housing 310 of the handheld vacuum device 300, and may bend back towards the housing. In this manner, the bent portion 334 may be configured such that the overhang portion 336 is biased towards the housing 310. In such a configuration, the bent portion 334 may act as or be formed as a spring or spring clip that is biased to a closed portion, in which a size W of the gap 335 is reduced. More particularly, when the bent portion 334 is in the closed or biased position, the overhang portion 336 may exert a force against any object that it abuts, including an object such as a belt positioned between the housing 310 and the overhang portion 336 of the bent portion 334. Thus, the spring clip that is formed by the bent portion 334 may push the belt against the housing 310, such that the hook 330 and the housing 310 form a clamp around the belt. In an embodiment, the hook 330, when configured as a belt clip hook, may have a gap with a size W that is less than 0.5 inches.

In some implementations, a hook in accordance with embodiments hereof may be configured to be hung from other types of external structures, such as a portion of a scissor lift, a drop ceiling grid, a step or a top platform of a folding ladder, or any other type of external structure. In an embodiment, if the hook forms a gap (e.g., between a base portion and an overhang portion) of size W, the size W may have a variety of values that accommodate suspension from a variety of external structures. For instance, a drop ceiling grid may be an external structure having channels that are about 0.5 inches in width or about 1 inch in width. In such an example, the hook may have a gap with a size W that is slightly larger than 0.5 inches (e.g., 9/16 inches) or slightly larger than 1 inch.

As discussed above, a hook of the embodiments herein may be disposed at a variety of locations of a handheld vacuum. For example, the hook may be disposed at a rearward end of a housing, as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 5A provides another example of a handheld vacuum device 500A which has the housing 110 of FIGS. 1A-1C and a hook 630. In the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the hook 630 may be disposed at a rearward end 119 of the housing 510 of the vacuum device 500A. More particularly, the hook 630 may be disposed both at the rearward end 119 and a bottom side 115 of the housing. FIG. 5B depicts a handheld vacuum device 500B which also has the housing 110 and the hook 630. In the embodiment of FIG. 5B, the hook 630 may be directly coupled to, protruding from, or otherwise disposed at a top side 114 of the housing 110. More specifically, the hook 630 may protrude from a handle 112 of the housing 110. In other embodiments, a vacuum-holdable vacuum device may have a hook which is located at any other location on a housing of the vacuum device.

Additional Discussion of Various Embodiments

Embodiment 1 relates to a handheld vacuum device that comprises a housing, a vacuum generating system, a battery, and a hook. In this embodiment, the housing has a handle, while the vacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing, and is configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. Further in this embodiment, the battery is coupled to a rearward end of the housing. The hook extends laterally from the housing and is disposed between the battery and the handle. In this embodiment, the hook has a base portion and a bent portion that extends from the base portion, wherein the bent portion is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure, and wherein the base portion and the bent portion of the hook form a slot that extends along a length dimension of the hook, wherein the slot is configured, when the external structure forms a rail, to fit around the rail to permit the handheld vacuum device to be hung from the rail via the hook.

Embodiment 2 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 1. Further in this embodiment, the slot formed by the base portion and the bent portion of the hook opens toward a frontward end of the housing of the handheld vacuum device.

Embodiment 3 relates to a handheld vacuum device that comprises a housing, a vacuum generating system, and a hook. The housing has a handle, while the vacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing, and is configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. Further in this embodiment, the hook is coupled to the housing, and has a bent portion that is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure.

Embodiment 4 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 3. Further in this embodiment, the hook is disposed at a rearward end of the housing.

Embodiment 5 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 3 or 4. Further in this embodiment, the housing has a frontward end through which air enters the housing to create the suction for the handheld vacuum device, and wherein a rearward end and the frontward end are opposite ends of the housing.

Embodiment 6 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 4 or 5. Further in this embodiment, the device further comprises a battery coupled to the rearward end of the housing, wherein the hook is disposed between the battery and the handle.

Embodiment 7 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one of embodiments 3-6. Further in this embodiment, the handle is disposed between the hook and a frontward end of the housing.

Embodiment 8 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one of embodiments 3-7. Further in this embodiment, the hook extends laterally from the housing.

Embodiment 9 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one of embodiments 3-8. Further in this embodiment, the hook includes a base portion from which the bent portion extends, wherein the base portion and the bent portion form a slot that extends along a length dimension of the hook, and wherein the slot is configured, when the external structure forms a rail, to fit around the rail to cause the handheld vacuum device to be hung from the rail via the hook.

Embodiment 10 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 9. Further in this embodiment, the slot formed by the base portion and the bent portion of the hook is C-shaped and opens toward a frontward end of the housing of the handheld vacuum device.

Embodiment 11 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 9 or 10. Further in this embodiment, the hook includes a flat base portion having a hole through which a fastener is inserted to fasten the hook to the housing.

Embodiment 12 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 11. Further in this embodiment, the bent portion includes an overhang portion configured to press against the external structure when the handheld vacuum device is hung from the external structure via the hook, and wherein the slot is formed by a gap between the flat base portion and the overhang portion.

Embodiment 13 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 12. Further in this embodiment, the overhang portion has an opening through which the hole of the flat base portion and the fastener are accessible.

Embodiment 14 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one of embodiments 9-13. Further in this embodiment, the device further comprises a crevice tool that forms or is coupled to a frontward end of the housing, and wherein the slot has a width which is substantially the same as a width of the crevice tool, such that the crevice tool is insertable into the slot.

Embodiment 15 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one of embodiments 3-14. Further in this embodiment, the hook forms a belt clip that is configured, when the handheld vacuum device is hung from a belt, to press against the belt.

Embodiment 16 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 15. Further in this embodiment, the hook includes a base portion that is coupled to the housing, and includes a bent portion that extends from the base portion and bends back towards the housing, wherein the bent portion forms a spring clip that is biased, when the belt is positioned between the belt clip and the housing, to push the belt against the vacuum housing.

Embodiment 17 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one of embodiments 3-16. Further in this embodiment, the hook is rotatably connected to the housing such that the hook is pivotable between a folded position in which the hook is folded against the housing and an unfolded position in which the hook is unfolded from the housing, wherein the handheld vacuum device is hangable via the hook when the hook is in the unfolded position.

Embodiment 18 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one of embodiments 3-17. Further in this embodiment, the vacuum-generating system includes a fan and a motor, wherein the fan is configured, when rotating, to cause air flow that creates the vacuum pressure, and wherein the motor is configured, when activated, to cause rotation of the fan.

Embodiment 19 relates to a handheld vacuum device comprising a housing and a vacuum generating system. The housing has: (i) a handle and (ii) a hook mounting region which has one or more slots and a hole, and which is configured to attach the housing to a hook which has a flat portion with a hole therethrough and which has one or more protruding portions extending from the flat base portion. The vacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing, and is configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. In this embodiment, the one or more slots of the hook mounting region are configured to receive the one or more protruding portions of the hook, and wherein the hole of the hook mounting region is configured to align with the hole of the flat base portion of the hook when the one or more slots of the hook mounting region receives the one or more protruding portions of the hook.

Embodiment 20 includes the handheld vacuum device of claim 19. Further in this embodiment, the hook mounting region is disposed at a rearward end of the housing.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented only as illustrations and examples of the present invention, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A handheld vacuum device, comprising: a housing having a handle; a vacuum-generating system disposed within the housing, the vacuum-generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device; a battery coupled to a rearward end of the housing; and a hook that extends laterally from the housing and is disposed between the battery and the handle, wherein the hook has a base portion and a bent portion that extends from the base portion, wherein the bent portion is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure, and wherein the base portion and the bent portion of the hook form a slot that extends along a length dimension of the hook, wherein the slot is configured, when the external structure forms a rail, to fit around the rail to permit the handheld vacuum device to be hung from the rail via the hook.
 2. The handheld vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the slot formed by the base portion and the bent portion of the hook opens toward a frontward end of the housing of the handheld vacuum device.
 3. A handheld vacuum device, comprising: a housing having a handle; a vacuum-generating system disposed within the housing, the vacuum-generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device; and a hook coupled to the housing, the hook having a bent portion that is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure.
 4. The handheld vacuum device of claim 3, wherein the hook is disposed at a rearward end of the housing.
 5. The handheld vacuum device of claim 4, wherein the housing has a frontward end through which air enters the housing to create the suction for the handheld vacuum device, and wherein the rearward end and the frontward end are opposite ends of the housing.
 6. The handheld vacuum device of claim 4, further comprising a battery coupled to the rearward end of the housing, wherein the hook is disposed between the battery and the handle.
 7. The handheld vacuum device of claim 4, wherein the handle is disposed between the hook and a frontward end of the housing.
 8. The handheld vacuum device of claim 3, wherein the hook extends laterally from the housing.
 9. The handheld vacuum device of claim 3, wherein the hook includes a base portion from which the bent portion extends, wherein the base portion and the bent portion form a slot that extends along a length dimension of the hook, and wherein the slot is configured, when the external structure forms a rail, to fit around the rail to cause the handheld vacuum device to be hung from the rail via the hook.
 10. The handheld vacuum device of claim 9, wherein the slot formed by the base portion and the bent portion of the hook is C-shaped and opens toward a frontward end of the housing of the handheld vacuum device.
 11. The handheld vacuum device of claim 9, wherein the hook includes a flat base portion having a hole through which a fastener is inserted to fasten the hook to the housing.
 12. The handheld vacuum device of claim 11, wherein the bent portion includes an overhang portion configured to press against the external structure when the handheld vacuum device is hung from the external structure via the hook, and wherein the slot is formed by a gap between the flat base portion and the overhang portion.
 13. The handheld vacuum device of claim 12, wherein the overhang portion has an opening through which the hole of the flat base portion and the fastener are accessible.
 14. The handheld vacuum device of claim 9, further comprising a crevice tool that forms or is coupled to a frontward end of the housing, and wherein the slot has a width which is substantially the same as a width of the crevice tool, such that the crevice tool is insertable into the slot.
 15. The handheld vacuum device of claim 3, wherein the hook forms a belt clip that is configured, when the handheld vacuum device is hung from a belt, to press against the belt.
 16. The handheld vacuum device of claim 15, wherein the hook includes a base portion that is coupled to the housing, and includes a bent portion that extends from the base portion and bends back towards the housing, wherein the bent portion forms a spring clip that is biased, when the belt is positioned between the belt clip and the housing, to push the belt against the vacuum housing.
 17. The handheld vacuum device of claim 3, wherein the hook is rotatably connected to the housing such that the hook is pivotable between a folded position in which the hook is folded against the housing and an unfolded position in which the hook is unfolded from the housing, wherein the handheld vacuum device is hangable via the hook when the hook is in the unfolded position.
 18. The handheld vacuum device of claim 3, wherein the vacuum-generating system includes a fan and a motor, wherein the fan is configured, when rotating, to cause air flow that creates the vacuum pressure, and wherein the motor is configured, when activated, to cause rotation of the fan.
 19. A handheld vacuum device, comprising: a housing having a handle and a hook mounting region which has one or more slots and a hole, and which is configured to attach the housing to a hook which has a flat portion with a hole therethrough and which has one or more protruding portions extending from the flat base portion; and a vacuum-generating system disposed within the housing, the vacuum-generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device, wherein the one or more slots of the hook mounting region are configured to receive the one or more protruding portions of the hook, and wherein the hole of the hook mounting region is configured to align with the hole of the flat base portion of the hook when the one or more slots of the hook mounting region receives the one or more protruding portions of the hook.
 20. The handheld vacuum device of claim 19, wherein the hook mounting region is disposed at a rearward end of the housing. 